A Liberal Turnout of Activists : Politics: About 500 members of Americans for Democratic Action attend the annual Eleanor Roosevelt Awards dinner.

It was a night for activists who call themselves and their causes liberal to stand up and be counted as the Southern California chapter of Americans for Democratic Action held its annual Eleanor Roosevelt Awards dinner Sunday at the Airport Hyatt.

About 500 people came out to honor “JFK” director Oliver Stone, feminist philanthropist Peg Yorkin, peace activist Marvin Schachter, former Santa Monica mayor and current Santa Monica City Councilman Dennis Zane and, in absentia it turned out, law professor Anita Hill who held America spellbound last fall with her allegations of sexual harassment by Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas.

There was a reception at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6, and one look at the lengthy program spelled out why things got started early.

It looked like a long night with no guarantee morning would ever come: Besides remarks by awardees and the presenters, there was a speech by investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, a welcome from ADA chapter president Aris Anagnos and two entertainment breaks--one for a comedy routine by the local ADA’s home-grown talent, the other for the Cambodian Family Dance Group and actress Jude Narita. Plus Bill Press as master of ceremonies.

Honoree Marvin Schachter commented, in recalling a lifetime of activism in civil rights, civil liberties, peace and disarmament, sometimes it is the interminable, unruly meetings that are the greatest challenge of all.

Deja vu? Not at all as it turned out. Anagnos, speaking while people started their salads, promised an early evening, and Bill Press appointed a timekeeper--Ben Bycel, head of the Los Angeles Ethics Commission--who really did issue several warnings from his table.

Things were a little unruly. Activists do not sit still, and the table-hopping and buzz of private conversations occasionally rivaled what came from the stage.

Politicians skidded in for pit stops, got introduced, then split for the next event.

ADA members scurried around changing mikes and stage props for the entertainment.

“I feel like I’m in my living room here and don’t want to be too formal,” Oliver Stone, said, smiling fondly at the group as he came to receive his award.

“You all know what I’m going to say anyway.”

Maybe so. They were ready for it, anyway.

Calling the Kennedy assassination and the mystery that continues to surround it “our Reichstag fire,” Stone chronicled the “induction of a Nazi frame of mind into the country” to responses from the audience of “That’s right.”

He promised to oppose it, saying “It’s a battle I’ll continue to fight.” Judging by the heavy applause and cheers, so would the rest of them.